Fluid Therapy For Cats With Kidney Disease

The 2013 aaha aafp fluid therapy guidelines for dogs and cats is the most complete and medically sound compilation of updates insights advice and recommendations ever developed for helping to ensure that your patients receive appropriate individualized fluid therapy.

Fluid therapy for cats with kidney disease. Understanding the stages and signs of kidney disease can help to extend your cat s life and keep them comfortable for as long as possible through this stage of their life. Appropriate treatment for chronic kidney failure depends on the specific symptoms and biochemical abnormalities a cat has. In this irreversible condition the kidneys no longer effectively eliminate wastes causing a potentially fatal buildup of toxins. Your vet will likely prescribe a new stricter diet for your cat.

Fluid treatments in general are used to flush toxins from your cat s system. Just note not all vets are right or know everything. Use your best judgment. Kidney diet for cats.

These diets help cats feel better and live longer. Subcutaneous fluids are generally only part of treating feline kidney disease. The fluid then gradually disperses throughout the cat s body and helps him or her to maintain hydration at the correct level. Instead of placing a slow drip of fluids into the cat s vein as happens with intravenous iv fluids the fluid is injected just under the skin with a needle.

Many patients require fluid therapy to combat dehydration. First iv fluids are used for emergency then for replacing nutrients and finally subcutaneous fluids are used for maintaining hydration. Fluid therapy for cat kidney disease fluid therapy is administered for three purposes during treatment for renal disease. Your vet or the vet tech inserts an iv catheter into a vein in your cat s front leg neck or hind leg.

Aaha guidelines review the latest information that helps the veteri. You can either follow your vet s advice or opt for making your cat a healthy raw diet. Most cats with chronic kidney disease feel best when sub q fluid administration is repeated every one to three days. Depending on your cat s illness your vet may add medication to the iv fluids.

But providing fluid therapy in a home environment is a vital part of older cat care for many pets and pet owners and it s truly a lifesaving gift of love to a special pet. A special diet and medications may also be necessary. If the sub q fluids improve astro s quality of life talk with your veterinarian about making a gradual transition to a prescription diet for cats with chronic kidney disease. Fluid therapy alone is not enough to treat renal disease.

Kidney disease in cats is an illness that nearly 30 of senior cats will face.